The Cableway Celebrates its 75th Anniversary!

September 27, 2004 | Table Mountain Aerial Cableway

On Monday, the 4th October 2004, the Cableway will have been operating for 75 years. This will be the start date for a month of special offers encouraging locals and hikers to celebrate Cape Town’s number one tourist attraction.

Says John Harrison, Managing Director of Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) “The Cableway was first opened to the public on the 4th of October 1929. It took almost 30 years to register the first million passengers – now 75 years later the Cableway has transported over 15 million passengers safely to the summit of Table Mountain.”

“It is perhaps most fitting that in this our anniversary year, Table Mountain National Park was declared a World Heritage Site” Says Harrison.

“The Table Mountain National Park wish to congratulate the TMACC on the occasion of the 75th birthday of the Cableway. The Cableway has over the years made the mountain safely accessible to those unable to climb to the top and to those who simply enjoy the ride” Brett Myrdall, Park Manager, Table Mountain National Park.

Louis De Waal, chairman of TMACC:” We can all be proud of our world class tourist attraction that uses world class technology to allow people access to our wonderful natural asset – Table Mountain”.

It’s hard to believe that the original passengers were happy to travel to the top of Table Mountain in an open wooden box with 20 other passengers. Since then the gondola’s have been upgraded three times. In 1958 (the gondola’s carried 24 passengers), 1974 (gondola’s carried 28 passengers) and most recently in October 1997. The old gondola’s are stationed at the lower cable station.

The newest gondolas can carry 65 people at a time whilst the floor rotates to give all a view of Cape Town. Only two other such rotating Cableway’s exist in the world, one on Mount Titlis in Switzerland and one in Palm Springs, USA.

With the most recent upgrade in 1997 the paths at the top station were also upgraded ensuring that visitors stay on the footpaths thus preserving the precious fynbos at the top station.

Bonte Edwards, Environmental Control Officer TMACC “We are aware of the potential impact that such high traffic tourism can have on one of our national treasures and have therefore committed ourselves to environmentally sound and sustainable business principles. Our Environmental Management System was awarded ISO 14001 certification by the SABS on the 9 May 2003. This can be regarded as an environmental achievement of the highest standard and will ensure the continued conservation of Table Mountain for many generations to come.

Sabine Lehmann, General Manager TMACC “As part of our 75th birthday celebrations we are offering a FREE Cableway ticket to all visitors on their birthday. Simply present your South African ID with birth date on the DAY that you are celebrating your birthday and you will get one free return ticket to enjoy on your special day.”

Says Lehmann: “There is so much to see and do on top of Table Mountain: free guided walks, beautiful fynbos, stunning views over Cape Town, dassies and black eagles. It’s a great day out for the whole family and should not be something that only visitors to Cape Town undertake”.

In this is celebratory year the Cableway is focusing on its many special offers and discounts offered to locals:

South African pensioners travel at half price.

Adults (18 years or older) gets a free ticket on their birthday.

Special rates for school groups.

Half price tickets from 19h00 during December and January.

And, in conjunction with Die Burger and Cape Argus, half price fares will be offered in October.